Florida boater suspected in fatal hit-and-run of teen ballerina Ella Riley Adler is ID’d
The boater suspected of driving over a teenage ballerina who had fallen in the waters of Florida’s Biscayne Bay while wakeboarding in a fatal hit-and-run was identified by authorities Wednesday.
Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, allegedly ran over 15-year-old Ella Riley Adler in his 42-foot-long Boston Whaler on Saturday afternoon in the Miami-Dade County bay and did not stop, according to an incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Adler was wakeboarding behind a boat with pals when she lost hold of the tow rope and fell into the ocean in an area near Mashta Point.
Alonso, of Coral Gables, allegedly struck the teen — who was a short distance from the boat with her friends — while driving westbound. Witnesses said he did not slow down or stop, according to the report obtained by The Post.
The Miami Beach high schooler suffered fatal injuries and was left floating with “a lot of blood” pooling in the water around her, according to first responders.
Follow along with The Post's coverage of 15-year-old Ella Riley Adler's death after being hit by a boat
- Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78, of Coral Gables, Florida, is accused of running over 15-year-old ballerina Ella Riley Adler in his 42-foot-long Boston Whaler last Saturday. Witnesses said he did not slow down or stop.
- Following the deadly collision, Adler’s bloodied body was retrieved by the boat she had been wakeboarding from and her friends on board called for help, but she could not be saved.
- “You were taken from us way too soon, and the world has been robbed of all the things you could have achieved,” grieving father Matthew Adler wrote in an emotional letter that was read at the funeral.
- Alonso is cooperating with the investigation, and his boat has been taken to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facility for investigators to examine for evidence, officials said.
- The boater claims he “had absolutely no idea” his craft was allegedly involved in the hit-and-run crash, his attorney says.
Adler was retrieved by the boat she had been wakeboarding from and her friends on board called for help, but she could not be saved.
“You were taken from us way too soon, and the world has been robbed of all the things you could have achieved,” grieving father Matthew Adler wrote in an emotional letter that was read at the dancer’s packed funeral on Monday.
“But you will always be here with us and your friends and family will carry your energy and spirit forever.”
Adler was remembered as a talented dancer, having appeared in more than 100 performances with the Miami City Ballet. She was also set to appear in her school’s production of “Chicago” before her death.
Alonso is cooperating with the investigation, and his boat has been transported to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission facility for investigators to examine for evidence, officials said.
No charges have been filed against the septuagenarian as the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators are asking any witnesses who may have video footage of or information about the collision to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ella Adler during this incredibly difficult time,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement.
